Sunday, December 30, 2012

Prints



I'm so lucky.   DH took me into Chicago to the
Smart Museum.    I wanted to see the 
exhibit (which closes Jan 20th).

What a fantastic exhibit!   Loaded with wonderful
prints from Japanese and French artists.
The display was lovely and there were books
open to various sketches, too.

They had an i-pad (or something) that showed the 
many images needed to create one print - also, video
showing how the woodblocks were hand carved.
Provided a wonderful introduction to these creative prints.

and the COLORS!   Rich and elegant.   Some
full of details - some more modern and classy.
Try not to miss - if you are in the neighborhood!

Special thx to Marjorie
about this exhibit.

Did I mention I purchased
the exhibit catalog?   It is loaded
with color photos ; )

Awash in Color: French and Japanese Prints


This is one of the images off the web site - 
Henri Riviere
Vegetable Garden at Ville-Hue (Saint-Briac), 1890
Woodblock print.

More images shown on their




Saturday, December 29, 2012

gifts

Isn't this lovely?
I am so happy to have this lovely
heart stitched and finished by
CathyB blogging at
My Adventures in Stitching.

We have been on-line blogging friends
for years + finally met at House of Stitches earlier this year.
What a treat!!!

Her blog is loaded with needlework and travels
and treasures!!!   Head over ....

and ...

Isn't this pretty?
I enlarged the photo so you can see the detail.

This will give you an idea of the size.

This necklace was a gift from Marjorie
blogging at

If you have not visited her blog -
get over for a visit.   She is always into the most creative stuff!!!  


Last,
I've had this bookmark pinned to my wall
for a few years now.
The image is from a woodblock print.  It is from the
Clarence Buckingham Collection.

And, I just noticed on the AIC web site,
that they have PART ONE of a Japanese Print exhibit
(gallery 107) from the 
Hurry, closes Jan 27, 2013









Sunday, December 16, 2012

Bent Creek: Bunny

Bent Creek pattern
The Little Bunny

I used Sampler Threads from The Gentle Art:  
Pink Azalea, Willow, Oatmeal (blended with DMC 712), Evergreen; 
Simply Shaker Sampler Threads from The Gentle Art Harvest Basket, Grape Leaf; 
and DMC 3021. 

It took me awhile to find fabric for finishing.
I chose Heidi Grace Designs

I don't think I will accomplish the 'finishing' until after the holidays.

Keep an eye on Cucki's blog
as she is next in line for the traveling pattern + envelope of embellishments.

(I just realized I forgot to add the bead on the flower!!  oops!!)


Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Gifts

Gifts in the mail ...
my Mom sent these ornaments:

Joy
Val's Stuff
JCS 2012


I know I've seen this ornament before,
tho, cannot recall where,
and don't know the designer!

Christmas Eve
Pickle Barrel Designs
JCS 2012

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

2013 Challenge ---- A Red Letter Year

Edited 12/03 (camera working again ...)
Have you visited
Blog?

I thought about 2013 + decided it was time to dig thru the wardrobe and pull out the Scarlet Letter projects I have tucked away.   I think this is all of them.     Each of these listed would be new starts - except for Ann Scutt (WIP).

Seven Possible projects for the challenge:

Polly Miner 1822   (which I really really like - worried about the crease in the linen tho)    This is a lovely alphabet sampler.   And, we all know how I enjoy alphabets!   I didn't see this on the web site - is available thru Hidden Staircase.      According to this pattern, the original sampler is at the Sheldon Museum in Middlebury, VT
(Is back on the Scarlet Letter web site)

A Pastoral (surface embroidery sampler)   I don't see this one on line.   Possibly out of print?
Side by Side Band sampler circa 1650      This would be quite a needlework challenge.   It is like 2 samplers with an alphabet in between.   But pretty interesting.



Sibmacher Band Sampler of 1763   
From the German Sampler Museum in Celle, Germany







Ann L Brown (I had stitched some of the spot motifs in this charming sampler, had intended to stitch the whole thing one day.)

Now that I pulled this out of the closet - I realize how BIG this sampler would be as it is 25 count linen.   I did enjoy stitching the little spot motifs.    Not sure about this one - maybe on a 32 count linen!     Might be out of print.   I cannot locate it on line.




Joanna Warren 1655   Probably way over my head .... maybe some day.   It is a difficult sampler!



Two Scarlet Letter projects --- already framed:

Which I have already stitched - and thought I'd like to try it again on a different linen.

I had more fun stitching this sampler.   And, I changed the inside rectangle to stitch my name.   Also, changed up a bit of the alphabets and numbers to include the date (2003).    I have had it hanging up since it was framed.    

Looking at the list of participants - (list growing daily) - this should be a fantastic year for samplers!

As part of the rules .... each of the posts on Nicola's group blog are to have the following labels:

Your Name,
Name of the Sampler,
Status of Sampler ie New Start, WIP, Finish or Framed
(use “Framed” if you include a new post showing a photo of a framed piece you have previously posted as a “Finish”).

Monday, November 26, 2012

Traveling Bunny ....

I was looking forward to receiving the envelope with
the Bent Creek pattern
The Little Bunny.

What surprised me (aren't needleworkers generous) 
was all the items that came along with the traveling pattern ; )

This beautiful heart is hanging on my calendar.
It was sent in the envelope with
the Traveling Bunny pattern (+ goodies).
?
Isn't this lovely?      (front above -- back below)
It was from Lee,
who has a nice post with photo of her bunny - HERE.
If you are not familiar with Lee's blog --- head right over!

Gracie tucked in an envelope of
fibers, floss cards, and tapestry needles.
Have you visited her blog?   Go to

Look what Annie added to the traveling pattern (envelope).
Her charming bunny post is HERE.   Another wonderful blog!

And, here are more textiles!   Bea (Canada) tucked in the
lovely heart charms.   Not sure who added the awesome fibers!

When I was reading Lee's blog post, she said she traced
the traveling bunny from America to England.   Back to America.
After a few stitchers, went to Annette (California Stitcher) to 
Bea in Canada, and to New Zealand.    

Before I received the pattern, it had been in the hands of
Anne and Gracie --- this week, when I finish my bunny
I will send it along to Cucki in South Africa
who will send it to Kaye in Australia!!!

Stay tuned .....




Sunday, November 25, 2012

Did you see this?

South Bend Red Round


of 
South Bend/Michiana
(Indiana) Chapter - EGA

Followed the link to Etsy Shop

This pattern was digitalized from a photo of a cross stitch piece owned by the
 Center for History in South Bend, Indiana.

The proceeds from the sale will support the framing and conservation of needlework pieces owned by the museum.














Thursday, November 22, 2012

Challenge for 2013


Did you see this???

Challenge for 2013 ....

Link to Challenge Rules HERE.

And, you don't have to be a blogger to participate.

And, there are prizes, too!
How awesome is that?

I'm thinking about that lovely WIP sampler
and the alphabet kit I recently obtained.
Hmmmmmm ..... are there enough hours in the day?


YOUR PERFECT RECIPE?


WHAT IS YOUR PERFECT READING RECIPE?


Jennifer, blogging at Literate Housewife, asked ..... so, I thought I'd share.

My perfect recipe:

-Pop some popcorn (and, not a skinny bowl full)
- Brew some tea (Spiced Chai)
- I-pod on 'shuffle songs'
- Grab a good book (for me historical fiction with some fine art mixed in) 
- Get comfortable in the chair
- Switch on the lamp (this old fossil needs a good light for reading)
...... wait ...... wait
- Yep, wait for the Honey Bunny to jump up .... This kitty enjoys curling up in my lap under the book I'm reading.

Perfect recipe .... time to relax and turn the pages.


Wednesday, November 14, 2012

So sorry to see it go ....


The exhibit closes on the 16th.   What a beautiful
collection of paintings.   The winter scene (South Bend Museum of Art - Oliver Hotel Winter River Scene) was so lovely, I could have looked at it all afternoon!  
If you haven't visited - you still have a couple more days.
Exhibit closes 11/16.      

So, moving on to the next exhibits:

I admit looking forward to the Japanese Prints.
Opens December 1st (thru 3/17/13).

-------------------------------------------------
Center for the Arts, Valparaiso University
1709 Chapel Drive, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383-6493





Thursday, November 08, 2012

keeping the cats off the furniture ....

Nikki sitting on the back of the couch ....

Mr. Katt aka Simon on the back of the love seat ...

Honey Bunny sunning under the desk lamp.

using the box to my HK mug to rest her chin!

And, some good news via my e-mail ... I'm next in line for the traveling pattern,
Bent Creek's (The Littles) Bunny.   
It is coming from Annie - you can see what she did
with her stitched bunny HERE.    You may recall the pattern from
Lee's blog -- her post Much Traveled Bunny.   
I'll post when I have it stitched + I understand
there are two more stitchers in line for the pattern.   

Enjoy the day - stitch well.





Sunday, November 04, 2012

Around the corner .....


Red cups at Starbuck's and
holiday stamps at the Post Office ....

Yep, right around the corner.

Honey Bunny said "Do Not Disturb" without
making a sound.

Good excuse to post pone the laundry until later today.

This is what happens when they have chicken for breakfast.
(left overs from dinner last night).

Little Red Riding Hood costume.

Dressed for Winter

Angel costume.






Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Visitors from MN ....

All last week, I was looking forward to the
week-end ... I met the delightful CathyB
and her Mom, Marlene.

Cathy + I have been blogging friends for several years and I was over-the-moon when she let me know there was a possibility to get together in Indiana!

We met at House of Stitches in LaPorte + enjoyed talking, shopping, 
and enhancing our stash ; )     Marlene and I had a tatting good time..   

Cathy has a lovely post on her blog w/photos ...
was also there?    Cathy is the President of The C Street Fan Club!!!!!

Cathy gifted me with a tatted tarlet --- 
Isn't the tatted tartlet cute?   Thx so much!!!!
(Tatting by Marlene + finishing by Cathy)

I picked up Anna Brambles Sampler
and a beautiful wooden box for scissors + needles
 (DJV design needs to be stitched and mounted)

Until next time .....

Friday, October 05, 2012


I'm looking forward to The Giving Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini, the next
novel in the Elm Creek Quilt series.


Look for it Oct 30th!!!

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